1. A Rivers usually throws through it. Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is 9-3 against the Broncos, having defeated six Denver defensive coordinators along the way — Larry Coyer, Jim Bates, Bob Slowik, Mike Nolan, Don Martindale and Dennis Allen. Jack Del Rio will be the seventh to take a shot at beating Rivers, who has completed 63.8 percent of his passes against the Broncos for 3,062 yards and 20 touchdowns. His career passer rating against Denver is 102.7.

2. Get familiar with the not-so-familiar faces. What once was a San Diego team largely built through the NFL draft is filled with veteran free agents these days, so the Broncos are looking at a far different Chargers roster than in years past. San Diego added 21 new players this year. They include veterans such as wide receivers Robert Meachem and Eddie Royal (a former Bronco) — plus running backs Ronnie Brown and Jackie Battle, who are significant parts of the Chargers' attack.

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3. Honesty is always the best policy. The Broncos keep saying their mistakes can be corrected. But they still miss too many assignments on defense — particularly against the run, when some players simply are trying to do too much and leaving some gaps unattended. The Broncos also need to tackle better — something 11-time Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey has described as "want to." Denver ranks 30th in the 32-team league in lost fumbles. That's all about discipline, not scheme.

4. Make the ball your best friend. The Broncos lost two fumbles inside New England's 20-yard line last week and lost one fumble inside their 20-yard line during a game they lost to the Patriots by 10 points. Only the Chiefs and the Eagles have lost more fumbles than the Broncos have so far (seven). At that pace, Denver would finish the season with 22 lost fumbles. The Broncos have lost 20 or more fumbles only one time in their history — the 1961 season, when they played only 14 games.

5. Make a statement in the AFC West. The Broncos' fourth-quarter comebacks show their potential. Their three losses are to teams that are 13-2. But at some point the Broncos have to act like a playoff team if they plan to be one. Getting a division win on the road against San Diego and going into their bye week at 3-3 would be a good start. The Broncos are 2-4 in San Diego in their last six games there, having given up 35, 52, 23 and 48 points in the losses.

Game Plan

When the Broncos run. Teams have run at Chargers nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin with some success this season. San Diego is giving up 4 yards per carry on runs over the center of the offensive line. That is where Willis McGahee is at his best in the Broncos' running game. But three of the Chargers' five opponents haven't topped 53 yards rushing and only one had more than 21 rushing attempts. Edge: Broncos

When the Chargers run. If coach Norv Turner is ready to put Ryan Mathews back into the Chargers' starting lineup — Mathews played two games coming off the bench because of a fumble against Atlanta — the Broncos have a potential problem. Mathews is an explosive tailback and gives the Chargers a run-pass option in their playbook that forces the Broncos to defend the running game out of their nickel package. And that hasn't gone well — the Patriots rushed for 140 yards against Denver's nickel. Edge: Chargers

When the Broncos pass. This is the biggest advantage the Broncos have Monday night. Quarterbacks have attacked San Diego cornerbacks Quentin Jammer and Antoine Cason. Denver's key will be protecting Peyton Manning. Chargers defensive coordinator — and Boulder native — John Pagano knows Manning's weaknesses and will use an aggressive pass rush. Edge: Broncos

When the chargers pass. The Chargers have speed and size on the outside in Malcolm Floyd and Robert Meachem to go with Eddie Royal in the slot and Antonio Gates at tight end. The Chargers have struggled to protect QB Philip Rivers, but they have the type of offense that has given Denver's defense a lot of trouble. Mathews' ability to catch the ball out of the backfield adds to Denver's concern. Look for Rivers to attack the Denver linebackers and safeties in the passing game. San Diego also will try a double move on cornerback Tracy Porter in a third-and-short situation that appears to call for a running play. Edge: Chargers

Special teams. Denver newcomer Trindon Holliday, one of the fastest players in the NFL, is expected to return punts for the Broncos in this game. The Broncos have been steady on special teams all season, but they don't have a kickoff return longer than 33 yards and don't have a punt return longer than 11 yards. Royal, a former Broncos wide receiver, is returning punts for the Chargers after signing with them as a free agent. If Royal catches a punt, he intends to bring it back. He has only one fair catch this season. Edge: Broncos

Missy Franklin, Jenny Simpson, Adeline Gray and three other Colorado women could be big players at the 2016 Rio OlympicsWhen people ask Missy Franklin for her thoughts about the Summer Olympics that will begin a year from Wednesday in Rio de Janeiro, she hangs a warning label on her answer.